Join
Mike Gerken
to
Raja Ampat, Indonesia
on board
Mermaid I
April 1-10, 2028
Raja Ampat is a group of 1500 small tropical islands in the Indonesia archipelago considered one of the last paradises in the world where mass tourism has not over run the natural landscapes. The beauty of the picturesque lush islands is only surpassed by the stunning underwater scenery and immense marine life that inhabits it. If Indonesia is considered the source of the worlds ocean biodiversity then Raja Ampat is the heart of it. The number and diversity of marine fishes and corals is staggering. Come explore this top tier diving destination with me on board the luxury Mermaid I. I personally have not been to Raja but will try to do so before this trip launches in April of 2028. I have done plenty of research on this destination and everything that I have discovered would indicate that Raja is an eden on earth.
I am however familiar with the Mermaid Liveaboard and have trips booked with them to Komodo in 2027 (sold out). They run a tight operation with safe and well maintained vessels with professional crews. My experience diving with them to Komodo in June of 2025 left me highly impressed. Please read on below for details on this trip.
Email [email protected] with questions.
See you in Indo!
-Mike
Interested in making a reservation? Download application here.
M/V Mermaid I
The luxurious liveaboard Mermaid I is a 28 meter, twin engine steel motor yacht , built with your diving comfort in mind. She is the luxury vessel out of the two vessels in the fleet. Mermaid Liveaboards strives to take you to all the best diving sites throughout Komodo. She comfortably holds 15 guests in one master state room (king size bed), one single, four deluxe cabins (king size or twin beds) and two lower deck cabins (double/twin beds). All main deck cabins have ensuite bathrooms, panoramic sea view windows with doors opening onto the gangway. The lower deck cabins are very comfortable offering ensuite bathrooms and unhindered, direct access to main deck gangways. All cabins are air conditioned, iPads for TV, toiletries and loads of fluffy towels.
Our huge purpose built dive deck and wide stern dive platform with two exit ladders
and fresh water showers area diver’s dream. 6 camera rinse tanks mean your valuable equipment is well looked after. Delicious Asian and western meals are served in our “Sawasdee Restaurant” with large windows to enjoy the views or how about trying our delicious BBQs ! After meals relax in our saloon with our multimedia entertainment center, or select from our extensive reading library complete with a full range of marine life books. Mermaid I offers two outside decks, one shaded with comfortable lounge seating and the fabulous sundeck with sunshade and loads of cushioned sun beds –a great place to relax or enjoy a massage. Visit this link to the Mermaid I website for additional images of this fine vessel.
All Inclusive Packages Starting at
$7300usd - 10 nights/9 days diving
See the application for pricing to assist you with your room selection.
What's Included
Nitrox, park fees, transfers from/to airport at all free of charge points, all meals & snacks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate, soft drinks and drinking water, tanks, weights, weight belts and diving with experienced dive masters.
Professional guiding and photographic tips & techniques from Mike Gerken
What's Not Included
Transfers outside of the free of charge zones, insurance, fuel surcharges if applicable, rental equipment, courses, massages, souvenirs, alcoholic beverages and gratuities.
Bali Add-On Excursion - Estimated dates March 26-31, 2028
I am presently working on the add-on excursion to Raja Ampat. Expect a package similar to below. I have more than 2 1/2 years to fine tune this part of the adventure. After surveying interested divers, I will see where the demand lies and finalize plans.
Dive Bali - Akaya Boutique Hotel w/All 4 Diving Indonesia
All Inclusive Package at $1850.00 - 5 nights 4 days diving
Akaya Bali is an eco-friendly boutique hotel located in the heart of Sanur, Bali, only a 2 minute walk to the beach. The location is near to all the best restaurants and shopping in town. We will be diving with All-4-Diving Indonesia. Bali is home to a kaleidoscope of coral reefs, Mantas, Molas, schooling fish, black sand slopes full of critters and the famous Liberty Wreck. They will provide you with the best service and dive sites around the islands of Bali, Nusa Penida and Lembongan.
Payment Plan
•$500 deposit due at time of reservation prior to 2 years from trip start date.
•Additional $1500 deposit due at 2 years from trip date. •Additional $1000 deposit due prior to 360 days from trip start date.
•Balance due 120 days prior to trip start date.
Payments accepted by Venmo, PayPal, Wise, Zelle or bank wire. PayPal will yield 4% transaction fee. Payee responsible for bank wire fees.
Cancellation Policy
Any cancellation by you must be made in writing (via email is fine) and is effective from the date of physical receipt.
•Greater than 360 days yields $350 loss on deposit.
•120-360 days yields
additional $2000 loss on deposit.
•120 days or less yields full loss of total fare. No refunds.
Please read full Terms & Conditions on the Application.
Getting There
From your home country, you will need to fly to Sorong Airport (SOQ) which is located in West Papua – Indonesia. Sorong Airport can be reached from the following Indonesian international airports: Jakarta, Denpasar, Manado, or Makassar/Ujung Pandang. It is suggested to arrive one day prior to embarkation to account for delays in your travel. Once the boat departs it will not be coming back.
Need to Know
Dive accident insurance mandatory such as DAN
Travel insurance is mandatory such as www.diveassure.com or www.travelsafe.com.
Water temperature is 80-84F 27-30C
Indonesian Visa can be purchased at your port of entry airport upon arrival.
Advanced Open Water Diver Certification preferred.
Sample Itinerary Mermaid I Raja Ampat
Day 1
Check-in on board MV Mermaid I. As our guest arrivals take place all through the day depending on flights, you are welcome to board when you arrive and spend some time unpacking and setting up your equipment, etc. Following the boat and safety briefing, Mermaid I will start cruising to the area of Misool. The first cruising will be done overnight, 90 nautical miles. It is almost impossible to put together a daily itinerary due to the magnificent diving everywhere Mermaid I goes. No trip is the same, with so many different sites to visit and explore. If there is somewhere in particular you really have your heart set on, please discuss with the Cruise Director who will do their utmost to get you there – conditions, ship and your safety allowing!
Day 2-5
Misool is the southern island of Raja Ampat. Misool has many groups of islands and there are literally
hundreds of dive sites around this magnificent area for all our guests. This is the entrance to divers' paradise and we will be here for a few days. Soft coral heaven and gorgeous gorgonian sea fans are the highlights of Misool. Pygmy seahorses are easily found in almost all the dive sites of Misool! Pinnacles and underwater seamounts with masses of fish, and visits of pelagics such as Giant
MantaRays, sharks and more await you in Misool. Some of the best areas in Misool include Sagof, Wagmab, Farondi, Boo, Fiabacet, Yuliet, Wailbatan, Warakaret and Pele. After the third dive of the day in Farondi or Sagof, there is a chance to spend some time
going around the lagoons in the dinghy. Enjoy the natural beauty of this area and look for some amazing wildlife. Then Mermaid I will start heading towards the northern part of Raja Ampat.
Dives 15
Day 6-8
Perhaps you will spend a day around the southern part of Batanta Island, where the diving is done on a black sand environment. This is where all the weird and wonderful creatures that you have seen in coffee table books like to live! Dive around the island of Kawe, a great place for schooling fish with beautiful reefs covered in black coral bushes and a very good chance to have encounters with Manta Rays. There is a pearl farm in Aljui Bay, where you can
take a tour to learn about the entire process of pearl farming. You can even
buy pearls if you wish! Diving in Aljui bay is good for macro as well as wide
angle. You will find walls covered in soft corals and sea fans, lots of nudibranchs and pygmy seahorses. There is also a great night dive at the jetty where some of the highlights are the Raja epaulette shark (a species of “walking shark”), wobbegongs, crocodile fish, toadfish, frogfish and more. Heading to the central part of Raja Ampat dive around the island of Yanggefo, with beautiful mangrove areas, stunning reefs covered in orange and purple soft corals and submerged reef with lots of schooling fish. Arborek and Sawanderek Villages are some of the most beautiful islands to visit and great to dive under their jetty! The jetty pillars are covered in soft corals – a photographer’s delight and also good for macro such as signal gobies, nudibranchs, pipefish, blue ringed octopus and more. The Mantas are then calling Mermaid I to visit the famous Dampier Strait in the central part of Raja Ampat. Here Mantas hang out at their cleaning stations along with all the schooling fish that the sites have to offer. At some of the sites in the Dampier Strait, the macro marine life is amazing with
critters such as the seamoth, Pontohi pygmy seahorse, pipefish and more. The Dampier Strait is also well known for an incredible amount of schooling fish. There are several pinnacles with zillions of fish. The tips (capes) of several islands are also home to lots of schooling fish - barracudas, bigeye jacks, snappers, zillions of fusiliers and surgeonfish and much more. As if that weren’t enough, here you can find lots of wobbegongs too.
Dives 12
Day 9
The last two dives of your cruise will be done in Dampier Strait area, where big schools of fish and glorious corals are simply amazing! After the second dive MV Mermaid I must go back to Sorong. The crew will take care of rinsing your equipment and there’s time to pack during this 5 - 6 hour run.
Dives 2
Day 10
After breakfast, Mermaid I staff will transfer you to the airport. This is a sample itinerary and is subject to changes beyond the operator’s control. The exact itinerary, route and amount of dives for your cruise may be adapted to best suit the weather conditions, tides and currents, season and other prevailing events.
